Bio

The Famous forge a sound that combines the transcendent roar of punk with the brutal honesty and black wit of traditional country. Mix that with the exhaust fumes of a ’65 Ford Galaxie — the four-wheeled talisman that led to the formation of the band when Victor Barclay (lead guitar, vocals) spotted Laurence Scott (lead vocals, acoustic guitar) and his ride outside a Bay Area laundromat and remarked that he owned the very same car — and you get an idea of what the Famous is all about. To put it another way: take the ‘50s-era country of Hank Williams, Sr. and filter it through ‘70s punk rock, ‘80s psychobilly, and ‘90s post-punk and you’ll find yourself staring eye-to-eye with the Bay Area’s own “Pixies in a cowboy hat.”

What holds the band’s sound together is a compelling balance between irreverence and intensity. Their music runs the gamut of emotions — from melancholy (“Tear”) to angry (“Get You Back”) to quirky and playful (“Deconstruction Worker”). A dynamic yet direct vocalist, Scott is perfectly at home in every mood, while Barclay’s standout guitar work fills the space around him with just the right amount of tact and skill.

Currently based in Oakland, The Famous have played at prestigious venues throughout the Bay Area including Great American Music Hall, Bottom of the Hill and Cafe du Nord, both as headliners and supporting artists such as OK Go, The Toadies, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Robbie Fulks, and Slim Cessna’s Auto Club. The Famous have also made appearances at festivals including Toronto’s NXNE, South Park Music Fest in Colorado, SF Giants BrewFest, SF Giants GarlicFest, and Peninsula Oktoberfest.

The Famous have released three full-length albums – Light Sweet Crude (2005), Come Home To Me (2010) and Ghost Town Parade (2015) and have received airplay on college radio, inclusion on top-rated Americana podcasts such as Roots Rock Radio, Country Fried Rock, Twang Nation, and Americana Rock Mix and acclaim from publications such as No Depression, the San Francisco Chronicle, Trouser Press and the National Review.

While The Famous are currently hard at work on their upcoming record slated for summer 2019, only a wise old ‘65 Galaxie could say where they’re headed next.